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Washington Times, Aug 26, 2004, The designated Iraqi ambassador to the Vatican, Albert Yelda, appealed to his nation's Christian minority Thursday not to turn their backs on their country.
Reached by telephone at his Baghdad office, Yelda pleaded with his co-religionists not to forget that "we are the descendants of the original residents of present-day Iraq." Referring to the bombing of five Iraqi churches earlier this month, Yelda insisted: "This was the work of foreign terrorists. Iraq's Muslim leaders do not want us to leave. Christians enjoy their highest respect."
(Note 1: "foreign terrorists", not necessarily Iraqis, not necessarily Muslims, not necessarily Arab, they can be American Conservative Christians. Note 2: "Christians enjoy their highest respect". In fact they also have the highest support. Look down for more on these quotes.)
[...]
Yelda's appeal came in the wake of an exodus following the attacks on the churches, causing the death of a dozen Christians; 50 more were injured. As a result, some 40,000 members of different Christian denominations fled their homeland, according to Pascale Icho Wardo, Iraq's emigration minister.
Yelda told United Press International he considered this figure "a little high" but agreed that thousands, perhaps tens of thousands had gone. "And that's tragic," he said, pointing out that these refugees left the soil where their ancestors had created one of mankind's oldest and most spectacular civilizations — Mesopotamia.
Curiously, while many leave, others — though in much smaller numbers — return from exile in Western Europe, Australia and the United States, especially the Chicago area, home to the largest group of Assyrian Christian expatriates. "They are business people, physicians, lawyers and teachers willing to invest in Iraq and participate in the reconstruction of its society," Yelda said.
He is himself a returnee who had spent most of his adult life as a refugee in the United Kingdom, where he had fled while officially under house arrest at age 16 in Baghdad.
[...]
He said he empathized with Christians fleeing Iraq after the latest wave of attacks — including rapes — on young women working for the American military and foreign corporations.
(Note 3: Working with who? Ok, as of today casualties, 100,000 Iraqis were reported killed since the American invasion of Iraq. My question, how many are Christians? Where is the Christian resistance to this invasion? Why are they so quite? Or do they support it? Just wondering!!)
But, he added, "Christians must not give up their properties here. If they want to flee the violence, which is not the work of local Muslims, they should rather go north to Kurdish territory, and then come back when security in Baghdad has improved."
In a sense, this is already happening. Assyrians are returning in droves to Kurdistan whence they had escaped after the destruction of their villages on Saddam's orders. "Not a day goes by without a family contacting me wishing to come back, especially since the terrorist attacks in Baghdad in early August," Patros Harboli, bishop of Dohuk, told Le Figaro, the French national daily.
His colleague Raban Qas, bishop of Amadia, related that 150 Christian families had requested help for their repatriation to his diocese.
Back to the quotes,"Christians enjoy their highest respect." And I add, "they enjoy the highest support":
Los Angeles Times, March 18, 2004, …. At least nine evangelical churches have opened in Baghdad in the last eight months, many supported by American organizations contributing up to $100,000 per church. More than 900,000 Bibles in Arabic ? along with hundreds of tons of food and medical supplies ? have been sent to Iraq (news - web sites). About 30 Christian evangelical missionaries are working in Baghdad, and 150 others have visited since last summer. Some Christian groups focus on offering aid and avoid proselytizing.
[...]
"God and the president have given us an opportunity to bring Jesus Christ to the Middle East," said Tom Craig, an independent American missionary working in Iraq and Cyprus. "This is my commandment. No amount of danger will stop me."
[...]
"Iraq will become the center for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to Iran, Libya, throughout the Middle East," said Kyle Fisk, executive administrator of the National Assn. of Evangelicals, which represents 4.5 million Christians in the United States.
"President Bush said democracy will spread from Iraq to nearby countries," Fisk said. "A free Iraq also allows us to spread Jesus Christ's teachings even in nations where the laws keep us out."
Iraqi political leaders worry that evangelical efforts will undermine the nation's stability.
[...]
Two blocks away from Thomas' church, evangelicals are building another house of worship, an oasis of marble and bright lights on a dusty, rundown street. The new church has received about $50,000 from Missouri-based Assemblies of God, said Pastor Jules Vivan, and another $50,000 in supplies and assistance from independent American missionaries.
(Note 4: What do you expect when you see that new churches are built while mosques are… let the picture speak of itself.)
[...]
"Yes, sharing Christ's love causes conflict. But the alternative is allowing people to go to hell," said Todd Nettleton with Oklahoma-based Voice of the Martyrs. American VOM missionaries have passed out Christian tracts in Baghdad traffic jams, among other activities.
(Note 5: Which hell? hell on earth? The hell of the religious war that they supported by telling their people to vote for Bush? Wasn't Evangelicals Told To 'Vote Their Values')
[...]
Evangelical leaders said they were rushing to establish churches in anticipation that Iraqi laws would curtail missionary access after the return of sovereignty.
"Christians believe we have a six-month window in Iraq," Nettleton said. "Our attitude is: Let's do everything we can now."
American evangelical organizations, including Voice of the Martyrs, the Southern Baptist Convention and Pennsylvania-based Assn. of Baptists for World Evangelism, have said they will focus much of their proselytizing on Muslims in Iraq and surrounding nations.
(Note 6: They always wanted this war, they supported this war, they voted for this war, and will always do anything to keep it going in Iraq and any other Muslim country if they get the chance. Why? Because Conservative Christians Are Biggest Backers of Iraq War! Yes they are. They voted for Bush's second term. BBC Nov 9, 2004 Report: …But the core of the president's support was Christian conservatives. Three-quarters of all white voters who described themselves as evangelical Christians voted for President Bush, according to national surveys of voters as they left the polls on Tuesday. And, this year, evangelicals made up one-in-five of all voters - a record.)
[...]
"This adds to a growing perception that all Americans want to convert Muslims," said Leanne Clausen with Christian Peacemaker Teams, an American aid group that does not proselytize. Nonevangelical Iraqi churches have been vandalized in recent weeks. Newspaper editorials and Islamic clerics charge that Americans are in Iraq on a religious crusade. Clausen warned: "The missionaries coming here don't realize the danger they are placing us in.")
Dear Arab Christian Brothers, If you want to stay, you are welcome, after all it's your home. If you want to leave, leave. Don't look for excuses! But please before you do, THINK, how different would the world be do you think, if the three religions - Islam, Judaism and Christianity focused on their similarities instead of their differences? Don't pour oil on flames made by foreigners who want to devastate our historical unity.
This reminds me of an old article, A Press Conference With GOD, from the comic publication, The Onion which was put out just after 9/11. I have copied and pasted a section from it below:
Worshipped by Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike, God said His name has been invoked countless times over the centuries as a reason to kill in what He called "an unending cycle of violence."…
"I tried to put it in the simplest possible terms for you people, so you'd get it straight, because I thought it was pretty important," said God, called Yahweh and Allah respectively in the Judaic and Muslim traditions. "I guess I figured I'd left no real room for confusion after putting it in a four-word sentence with one-syllable words, on the tablets I gave to Moses. How much more clear can I get?"…
God praised the overwhelming majority of His Muslim followers as "wonderful, pious people," calling the perpetrators of the Sept. 11 attacks rare exceptions…
"But somehow, it all gets twisted around and, next thing you know, somebody's spouting off some nonsense about, 'God says I have to kill this guy, God wants me to kill that guy, it's God's will,'" God continued. "It's not God's will, all right? News flash: 'God's will' equals 'Don't murder people.'"…
Print | | Digg | Stumble | delicious | Tweet | Technorati | Reddit | Yahoo | GoogleGrowing increasingly wrathful, God continued: "Can't you people see? What are you, morons? There are a ton of different religious traditions out there, and different cultures worship Me in different ways. But the basic message is always the same: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Shintoism… every religious belief system under the sun, they all say you're supposed to love your neighbors, folks! It's not that hard a concept to grasp."
{ 10 } Comments
Arabs are Arabs regardless of their religion. Arab Muslims and Arab Christians have been living peacefully for ages in the Middle East, just like Arab Muslims and Arab Jews are living peacefully in other parts of the world such as Tunisia. I'm not shocked to hear such things about a sudden insecurity threatening Christians. Attempts to divide Arabs always worked, this is one of them, and unfortunately, we, Arabs, blindly follow the false claims, and even make things worse by reacting to it the way we do by crying for foreign help, hating each other, and starting to play the role of victims instead of sticking to each other and being one unit. This is so pathetic and stupid. I'm not saying that Arabs who belong to different religions don't have some misunderstandings or disagreements, but to enhance the bad picture others are trying to give of Arabs and to help them divide us, is, in my opinion, pure insanity. When are we going to see the truth, when will we be one hand?!
I got worried when I saw Natasha reposting that article of LA Times in her blog. Specially her note following that: "…I hope and pray that the fundamentalist wave that is currently sweeping Iraq, doesn't find its way to the neighboring countries. It ails me to say that I started to fear for the safety of my family, friends and overall society!"
I don't know what to say, really. But we have to watch out the reflect of what claims we spread!
I appreciate if she can tell me, why she started to fear for the safety of her family, friends, etc… Do they live in Iraq or Afghanistan? I'm sure they are not. So, what's the source of fear? Is it us? Neighbors and Friends? or is it the fringe enemy? I hope it's the later!
Individual reactions play a very big role in building the overall impressions of societies. Muslims were never a threat as some foreign powers wish to make them seem, and it's such a disappointment that Arabs are helping spread such fake impressions. Why's that? I really wonder? This whole Muslim- Christian conflict they're trying to "market" is nothing but a cheap way to separate Arabs and divide them to make it easier to control them. Look at Palestine, people are living war every day, but we never heard for once that Palestinians from both religions fight each other or killing each other. Also in Jordan, they're living peacefully. I'm so upset that such false picture of Arabs is being spread and even worse, it’s being enhanced by Arabs. We should stick to each other and show the whole world that Arabs are one unit, they’re one people even if they belong to different religions.
Dear Haitham,
I find your argument one-sided and very misinformed. Let’s start with your use of the word “resistance”. What’s your definition of resistance in Iraq?
Is it the act of kidnapping journalists, killing women and children, slaughtering fellow Muslims and butchering aid workers? Do you find legitimate resistance in the acts of jihadi fundamentalists coming from places like Yemen and Syria, leaving behind their families to fight a battle that is not their own?
Do you actually condone the ideology of those fighters that attack Christians, bomb their places of worship? How about those that ask Christian women to wear hijab or else be killed? Is this resistance? These people are thugs that found solace in fundamentalism. Do you actually expect Christian Arabs to fight alongside them?
Don’t you recognize that Arab Christians would be the first to be killed by the ignorance these resistance fighters display simply because they follow a different religion.
I find it disturbing that you are so quick to condemn the acts of the US and evangelical Christians yet keep silent about acts by the likes of the “Islamic Army in Iraq” or “Jihad and Tawhid” and their claims of acting in the name of God whilst beheading people to chants of “Allah Akbar”.
I find it surprising to see this argument from an Arab who lived along fellow Arab Christians. I might expect it to come from someone from Bangladesh, for example, that could see Arab Christians as “collaborators” not having lived with them. But not from a fellow Arab who lived alongside Arab Christians and knows they face the same political frustrations and suffer right along with their Muslim brothers.
Arab Christians have the same right to live in the Middle East as any other people, as they were among the first indigenous people to settle here. It is very sad to see fellow Arabs encouraging the exodus of Christians. This only serves to augment the flawed western view of the Middle Eastern struggle as a clash between Muslims in the east and Christians in the West. I have to say, I’m very disappointed.
Ok, I've just exposed my ignorance of trackbacking, so I'm giving this the old college try….
Eyes closed and Fingers crossed….
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/1421068
Is that all what caught your eyes? Resistance? Does is hurt to admit that there is no Christian resistance in Iraq? Ok, so I'll tell you what is resistance.
1. Resistance: Is a force that tends to oppose or retard motion.
Did the Iraq Christians "oppose or retarded the American motions"?
2. Resistance: Is an underground organization engaged in a struggle for national liberation in a country under military or totalitarian occupation.
Does Iraq Christians has any underground organizations other than those spreading the word of Jesus?
3. Resistance: Is a process in which the ego opposes the conscious recall of anxiety-producing experiences.
Where is the Iraq Christians ego? Only their anxiety is shown? But, of what? Of occupation? Or what you claim as Muslims threats?
Further, I didn't deny the threats you claimed. It's them who did. Albert Yelda himself did? So whom should I believe? LA Times or an Iraqi Christian Ambassador?
I condemned before and will always do any terrorist acts such as kidnaps and killing of innocent people. But again, I'm not going to go through the history of those and who made them, or if they at all form any real threat to Christians. All those clans you mentioned are no more than criminals after money, and they have nothing to do with the real resistance and Islam.
A very good example of Christian Arabs fighting beside their Muslim brothers is Palestinians. I don't think that I have to remind you of Bet Sahoor, Bet Lahem and many other Palestinian Christian cities.
So, apart from the resistant part, which you avoided answering by asking reverse questions. I still didn't hear any answer to any of other questions? Ok, I'll sum it up for you and put it in one question. What are one million Iraqi Christians doing in Iraq to fight back the occupation? (other than spreading the word of Jesus?)
Arab Christians have right. Yes. But rights are not inherited, they are gained! They gained it in Palestine, Jordan and many other Arab countries. What did they do about it in Iraq? I hope they start working on it.
Finally, I can't understand you last paragraph? Who is encouraging the exodus of Christians? They are cowered. It's only greed for a Green Card that is encouraging them. They have no dignity to fight for their land, no loyalty for their land. So if they want to leave, let them go. Iraq childrens will tell them; don't waste your crocodile tears, save it, I'll only suffer from it while you flee the country. While then Iraqi childrens will be setting in their graves RESISTING.
Dear Haitham & Natasha, allow me to take part in this discussion by first reminding you both that we’re all Arabs, you shouldn’t be disappointed of what Haitham wrote Natasha, and Haitham try not to feel offended of what Natasha said. Let’s make this discussion fruitful, after all, isn’t this what blogs are all about? Open discussions to clear the blurred pictures and share opinions.
Now one fact we can’t deny is that Haitham is anything but biased. Ever since I started reading his blog, I’ve noticed that he criticizes injustice and terrorism no matter where it came from. Just few days ago he was criticizing Muslim extremists who create their own rules and try force them on others. We sure understand your sadness for what’s happening to our brothers the Iraqi Christians, we’re all sad for them, because whoever belongs to a religion and believes in it, should be tolerant and understanding. But what was a bit harsh is for your sadness to transform into unexplained fear. Although you’ve been reading this blog, and although you know Haitham is not against Christians but against injustice, you still were surprised that he being a “fellow Arab who lived alongside Arab Christians and knows they face the same political frustrations and suffer right along with their Muslim brothers” is arguing that way. But actually it’s exactly the other way around that made him write in the first place. Being surprised that a fellow Arab, who lived and is living alongside Arab Muslims and knows they face same political frustrations and suffer right along with their Christian brothers, could fear that those brother Muslims could one day slaughter her whole family! Don’t you think this is upsetting for us to know that our nice friend, who knows us better, is thinking that way! You said “Arab Christians have the same right to live in the Middle East as any other people”. No Muslim ever tried to take away this right from any Christian population. Besides, you yourself once wrote a great post in your blog explaining that Arab Christians (specially Jordanians) enjoy their full rights and are not considered a minority. You were talking about facts that made you feel justice in the Arab world, specially in Jordan. And I believe that some stupid acts of terror in Iraq will not change these facts. You must show the whole world that their stupid attempts to divide Arabs are failing, coz no fellow Arab is encouraging the exodus of Christians. We watch US troops (with majority of Christian Americans) condemning war crimes all the time, we didn’t fear Christians, we preferred thinking that: Iraqis need their freedom, they need to live in peace”, because we know that both Muslims and Christians in Iraq are suffering, and because we know that Christianity is not what’s pushing soldiers to kill innocent people, it’s either sick minds or some policy.
When this kidnapping trend first started, it started by kidnapping Muslims in the first place. Also there are Muslims who were filmed crying out of help to rescue them from being beheaded, if it proves anything, then it proves the fact that those are either greedy people looking for money, or some sick terrorists, let them claim they do this for Islam, but we all know they do this for personal or “outer” interest. Haitham is right: “All those clans you mentioned are no more than criminals after money, and they have nothing to do with the real resistance and Islam”.
First it was this claim of “anti-Semitism” sentiments they’re trying to spread, then it was “war on terror” which actually started out the whole chain of terrorist attacks we’re witnessing nowadays, and now they’re trying to create “anti- Christianity” rumors to divide us. Arabs should open their eyes really wide, instead of helping them divide us let’s all remember that it’s both Muslims and Christians who are being killed and tortured in Iraq and Palestine, it’s Muslims and Christians who are being put in prison, kidnapped and taken away from their homes, it’s their country that’s being destroyed. Let’s be the one unit we’ve always been no matter how hard they try to split us. Let’s benefit from our education in reaching out for the world to know what Arabs really are and what they need. Let’s stop any attempts to divide us.
Both of you have great blogs, use them to spread the truth and uncover reality. We’re all friends, we all respect each other, and we all want security, justice and freedom.
Dear Eman,
Thank you for trying to cool things down. You are really sweet., I love you;-) The post on my blog was very clear. I was talking about “the fundamentalist wave”. By “fundamentalist” it is was obvious that I was referring to the sick terrorists that attacked and are still attacking Christians in Iraq. It was clear from my blog entry that I was referring to Zarqawi and his cronies. What would prevent Zarqawi and his followers from doing the same thing in Jordan? Wasn’t he behind the killing of the American diplomat in Amman and the attempted chemical attack on the Jordanian intelligence department? Don’t you think that Zarqawi’s operatives might want to attack churches in Jordan as well! They did it in Iraq why won’t they do it in Jordan if they were able to. It is a legitimate fear, Eman! And nothing in my post said that I was fearing a sectarian war in the kingdom! It was clearly obvious that I was referring to lunatics such as Zarqawi who tarnished the reputation of all Arabs and Muslims. Did I ever say I’m scared from my fellow Muslim friends and neighbors! Where did you read that in my post?
I was shocked to see Haitham reacting to my post by insinuating that Christian Arabs are collaborates and calling them "cowards" seeking a green card. I thought this was really out of line and very offensive !! I would not have expected this from him, because really he should know better!
Well I believe that both of you Natsaha and Haitham should feel better after this discussion
We’re friends after all, and those crazy events taking place in countries dear to us are getting us all stressed out and are leading to many misunderstandings, that I believe have no important place now after a long open discussion, in which each said what they’ve got. The most important thing is to always be one hand, and to always have space for conversation. You’re right Natasha, nothing can prevent what’s happening in Iraq to take place elsewhere, if the situation remains the same that is, therefore, war MUST stop, democracy must be granted, just like justice, freedom and peace must be spread. Terrorism is a threat to all people, it should be stopped, not by making things worse with war, rumors or conflicts, but by solving root problems. That’s the only way to feel secure not only in the Middle East, but all around the world. But if things go on that way (which most probably will happen since the “war-lover” Bush was re-elected) then the whole world will be introduced to more and more faces of dangerous terrorism. Let’s just pray things will get better, and let’s all try to reach out for the whole world and try to convince them that war was never the solution. They must be fair, stop manipulating Media, investigate the right people, refer to real facts, not false ones, and last but not least, they should listen to the country’s own people in all cases, specially Iraq and Palestine.
{ 3 } Trackbacks
Don't Leave, the Show's Not Over!
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